KW V2 impressions and settings

[BBSRT8]

Originally Posted by Maurie Fettig

Hi BBSRT8. I'm having the KW 2 suspension installed tomorrow. My main goal is to reduce the harshness in the ride of my 300CSRT8. I have the Goodyear supercar F1 tires, very stiff ride. I see you mention in your post that the KW suuspension improved your ride quality, but it wasn't huge. Now that you have had the suspension for a while, has the ride improved? Would you spend the money for the KW's again? What tires are you running. any help would be appreciated.

I have the F1s also. The harshness of the ride only improved a small amount but the big difference is in the cars ability to absorb the impact on uneven roads, potholes, speedbumps, and especially driving into my driveway, without alot of "bounce" or scrapping. Also the handling and the cornering are much, much better than the stock setup (It is also sitting about an inch lower too, so lowering the center of gravity also contributes to the improved handling).
I have not noticed too much of a difference between now and when I first installed them.
If all that you would like to do is to decrease the stiffness, I don't know if spending this much money is the route to go. But if you are also looking to improve the handling, then I highly reccommend this setup (along with upgraded swaybars).

[SRT8 Hemi NJ]

Where can I buy the KW V2 & Hotchkiss setup?

Thanks to all

Meech srt8heminj@yahoo.com

[BBSRT8]

Originally Posted by SRT8 Hemi NJ

Where can I buy the KW V2 & Hotchkiss setup?

Thanks to all

Meech srt8heminj@yahoo.com

Just look in the supporting vendors section. There are quite a few that sell both the KWs and Hotchkis swaybars. If you look around and find another place selling them cheaper, let them know and they will probably match the price.

[micah323]

some people are saying that it rides better after the kw v2.

I would like to get a 300c with 22's and use this suspension. However, I am a Realtor and cant have a rough ride with clients. I hardly ever drive any around, so it doesnt have to be Cadillac soft, just cant be lowered ricer ride.

Would this be a good option or would it be best to stick with stock?

[Undertheradar]

Originally Posted by micah323

some people are saying that it rides better after the kw v2.

I would like to get a 300c with 22's and use this suspension. However, I am a Realtor and cant have a rough ride with clients. I hardly ever drive any around, so it doesnt have to be Cadillac soft, just cant be lowered ricer ride.

Would this be a good option or would it be best to stick with stock?

If you're going to get 22" I think it's going to affect the ride no what what you do except air suspension.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by micah323

some people are saying that it rides better after the kw v2.

I would like to get a 300c with 22's and use this suspension. However, I am a Realtor and cant have a rough ride with clients. I hardly ever drive any around, so it doesnt have to be Cadillac soft, just cant be lowered ricer ride.

Would this be a good option or would it be best to stick with stock?

Unless you dial more drop in, installing the KW V2s will lower your ride by just under an inch. Simply makes it slightly easier to hoist one's feet in & out.

The ride quality is enhanced by the KW V2s, so there's no reason not to do it in your situation.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Meister

As somebody said earlier on this forum, referring to both John Hennessey's superb pricing and the world-class performance of the KW Variant 2 coilovers - RUN, DON'T WALK to get a set of these on your ride. I'll second that, particularly if greatly improved handling and safety is anywhere in your priority list.

Teamed up with Hotchkis Sport anti-sways, these KWs are truly the ultimate suspension mod for the LX Hemis. The install was finished Thursday night, and I have since put approx. 700 demanding, highly-spirited, miles on them.

The performance results from the combination of the KWs and the Hotchkis bars are remarkable. The term CARVE now has clear and precise meaning. And gone completely is the nasty steering wheel kick all too common with our stock suspension and stock ContiSeals when encountering a bump with the suspension loaded.

They are the match, and more, of the SRT8 suspension - no little praise - a point demonstrated at both high speeds and in super-tight, gnarly, twisties. At traction limits in high G turns the car remains flat - I was unable to intentionally induce body roll.

Basic city manners are improved also. One killer speed bump near my residence was barely tolerable at 11 mph with my stock suspension. A test run at 15 mph with the KWs showed much less pitch and rebound, and was significantly more comfortable than with the stock suspension at 20% or so less speed. Transiting uneven surface heights and textures at an angle no longer requires steering wheel input to maintain course.

My settings:
Springs: Total drop: Rear 1 /1/4", Front 1 3/8.
Rake: 1/2"
Rebound damping: Front: 2 turns, Rear: 1 turn.
Alignment: I split the difference between Hennessey Performance recommendations for fastest lap time, and factory settings. Toe-in is zero.

On my car these settings are so near perfect that I'll not be changing anything anytime soon - I'll merely be enjoying the tremendous refinement to handling and responsiveness.

Meister, you mention front 2 turns and rear 1 turn.
However, according to the install instructions from KW, it says front 1.0 turns open +/- 0.25 turns and rear rebound 2.0 turns +/- 0.25 turns. This suggestion is exactly opposite from yours. Can you clarify? I have a 300C AWD and Im installing the 2017 V2s.

Thanks!

Jay

[Meister]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Meister, you mention front 2 turns and rear 1 turn.
However, according to the install instructions from KW, it says front 1.0 turns open +/- 0.25 turns and rear rebound 2.0 turns +/- 0.25 turns. This suggestion is exactly opposite from yours. Can you clarify? I have a 300C AWD and Im installing the 2017 V2s.

Thanks!

Jay

Direct quoted from my response to your identical PM, Jay [Hint: that creates double work. Kindly do one or the other. Thanks.]:

No clue, Jay, unless the difference lies in your having an AWD.

2 front, 1 rear is what my KW documentation states, it's what we've all been using for over a year, and it's what works for the RWD cars.

Suggest you count total turns from full in to full out on both your front & rear shocks (make sure you've properly identified them as such) and see if, on your shocks, you get more total turns from the rear than the front shocks.

That's the only way that the settings you listed would seem to make sense to me.

If the fronts give you more turns than the rear, 'suggest you use the setting that has been correct all along. May well be a typo in the latest instruction sheet (unless AWD's use different shocks).

[joey]

KW recommends 1 turn open in the front, 2 turns in the rear.
See bottom of page two of this link from KW's website.
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/kw_upload/Einbau/ea68577504.pdf
KW automotive North America Inc. Suspension -- Coilovers -- Shocks -- Springs

Our recommendation for your car to start with:
Front Rebound: 1,0 turns open +/-0,25 turns
Rear Rebound: 2,0 turns open +/-0,25 turns

The AWD has the same recommendation.

My preference is 1/2 turn open for the front, and 3/4 turn open on the rears.

[jaydee]

I have a further question as I take the plunge. When is the alignment to be performed? Immediately ater installation of the KWs or after a "settling in " period? My understanding is that it should be done after the new installs have settled in. Am I correct? How much time/miles should I give before doing an alignment?

Thanks

Jay